This left Zhao Yan feeling puzzled.
Upon seeing Zhao Yan and her companions arrive, Jing Hongxiu stood up from his stool.
He swept his gaze over the three of them, walked over, and extended his hand, asking, "Which one of you is Zhao Yan?"
Zhao Yan extended her hand and shook Jing Hongxiu's, replying, "I am Zhao Yan."
Jing Hongxiu smiled and said, "I've heard of Miss Zhao's great name for a long time."
He then looked at Zhao Yan for a while, nodding, "Suitable, the image is very suitable, extremely suitable."
"Please sit, ladies, please have a seat."
Zhao Yan sat on the sofa, finding it quite comfortable and soft. She thought about buying one for herself when she got back.
"Mr. Jing, we've received your deposit. May I ask what this matter you mentioned is about?" Zhao Yan inquired.
Jing Hongxiu handed her a tablet.
Zhao Yan, not understanding, took the tablet.
The tablet displayed fresh pork.
This made her even more confused.
"Mr. Jing, what is this?" Zhao Yan asked.
Jing Hongxiu replied, "We'd like to invite Miss Zhao to be our brand ambassador."
"Ah! Brand ambassador?" Zhao Yan was surprised.
Typically, brand ambassadors were major, popular celebrities.
Let alone celebrities, her own following was quite small.
"Why?" Zhao Yan asked.
Jing Hongxiu adjusted his glasses, "I've listened to Miss Zhao's livestreams and learned about some of the things you've done over the years."
"After much consideration, I believe Miss Zhao perfectly fits our company's image."
According to their research, Zhao Yan had a very loyal fan base. More importantly, Zhao Yan had assisted the police in solving several cases.
She had even been featured in official news reports.
This presented a very positive image.
"We've already prepared the contract. Miss Zhao, you can take a look. If three million five hundred thousand isn't satisfactory, we can negotiate."
"Also, our company is sponsoring a variety show. If you become our ambassador, I hope you'll make an appearance on that show to help us promote it."
As Jing Hongxiu spoke, he walked over to a drawer, pulled it open, and took out a contract.
He placed the contract on the table and pushed it towards Zhao Yan.
Catching ghosts and demons was still within her scope of work, but looking at contracts was not her forte. Fortunately, Wang Xianzhi was beside her.
"An elder at home is like a treasure."
Wang Xianzhi understood what Zhao Yan was thinking. He picked up the contract and spent seven to eight minutes flipping through it.
He read every clause carefully, then put the contract away on the table.
"Master, the contract terms are perfectly fine."
"If you agree, you'll be endorsing this company for two years. The endorsement fee for this year is three million five hundred thousand. If the results are good, the endorsement fee will increase."
"Furthermore, for the variety show you'll be participating in, you'll receive one million per episode."
Zhao Yan clicked her tongue. The money sounded less like money and more like a string of digits.
"Master, do you want to try? The contract terms are quite relaxed, with no harsh conditions."
"Yes, Sister Zhao, just treat it as playing," Wu Jiaxin added.
With a bit of back and forth, she could earn a considerable amount of money.
Moreover, the number of customers in the shop had gradually decreased recently, mainly because many Xuanmen practitioners had come to Jiangcheng.
The troublesome ghosts no longer dared to cause trouble.
"Is this contract really okay? Could it be a contract for selling myself?" Zhao Yan asked again.
Wang Xianzhi said earnestly, "Don't worry, Master, I guarantee with my integrity, this contract is fine."
Seeing that Zhao Yan was tempted, Jing Hongxiu immediately said, "Miss Zhao, if you agree, you can earn several million in a year."
"I've looked into your shop. Your shop does have some reputation, but earning several million a year might still be difficult."
"I know you practice Taoism, and money might not be particularly important to you. But with this money, you can be more uninhibited in whatever you do in the future, don't you think?"
Zhao Yan coughed. Money was indeed very important to her.
If she had money when she was young, she wouldn't have had to eat steamed buns made of coarse flour for a year.
"Then let's sign!" Zhao Yan said.
Jing Hongxiu opened the contract and pointed to the signature area at the bottom, "You can sign here."
Zhao Yan picked up the pen on the table and wrote "Zhao Yan" under the乙方 (Party B) section.
"Great, welcome Miss Zhao to our company. We look forward to your cooperation over the next two years."
Zhao Yan extended her hand and shook Jing Hongxiu's.
"Now, please come with me to the fifth floor. We'll shoot the endorsement today."
Zhao Yan was surprised, "So soon!"
Jing Hongxiu replied, "Since Miss Zhao is here, we'll do a test shoot today. If any adjustments are needed, we can make them then."
Zhao Yan thought that was reasonable and decided to go along with Jing Hongxiu's plan.
Jing Hongxiu led Zhao Yan towards the fifth floor and called back, "Miss Zhao, please think of a slogan!"
"Huh? I have to think of the slogan too?" Zhao Yan was taken aback.
She thought this was something the company should come up with.
"I believe in Miss Zhao's abilities."
Zhao Yan scratched the back of her head. She didn't even believe in her own abilities.
Since the client requested it, she'd just think of something casually, as it would be reshot anyway.
They arrived at the fifth floor and pushed open a room.
The room was large, and many photographers were already preparing.
Everyone was waiting for Zhao Yan.
"Let's begin, Miss Zhao. Time for makeup."
A beautiful woman approached Zhao Yan and led her to sit in front of a mirror.
She examined Zhao Yan's skin and complimented, "Your skin is so good! Makeup might actually detract from your beauty. How about we just apply some baby cream? What do you think?"
Zhao Yan had no objections, as she rarely wore makeup anyway.
After applying baby cream to Zhao Yan, a stylist came over and gave her a hairstyle.
Her current look resembled that of an urban white-collar worker.
"Miss Zhao, please stand over here."
Once she was ready, the photographer walked over, asked Zhao Yan to stand in front of a green screen, and handed her a package of pork.
"Miss Zhao, please imagine you are shopping in a supermarket, taking pork out of a refrigerator, and then say your slogan," the photographer instructed.
Zhao Yan said "Oh," took a deep breath, and began to imagine herself in a supermarket.
Once her state was adjusted, Zhao Yan walked forward, treating the table as a refrigerator, and picked up the packaged pork from the table.
Smiling at the camera, she said, "For good meat, buy Jia Jia Zhu brand. Raised with good feed, the pork is not watered down. Your healthy eating is our peace of mind. Protecting the health of all, Jia Jia Zhu brand!"
Jing Hongxiu clicked his tongue and gave her a thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Good!"
"Miss Zhao, have you studied acting?"
He watched as Zhao Yan seemed to fully immerse herself in the role, as if she were truly in a supermarket.